Denial of Evolution VI.

The adaptation is happening at a higher level. Down in the DNA, there is only variation. Consider the constant recombination of DNA that occurs through meiosis (gamete production). Here is a pretty good explanation of recombination.

The reason why recombination changes anything at all is because the DNA being passed down had come through random sources of mutation from generations past. Here is a pretty good explanation of mutation as it pertains to haplotypes.

It's one thing to say mutations appear randomly across a generation. But what accounts for the fact that some are passed down and others are not? Obviously sexual selection determines which individuals will propagate their DNA. But then those individuals must actually reach maturity in order to engage in sexual selection. That leaves the question of what determines whether an individual reaches maturity, and the answer is natural selection.

Since natural selection works at the level of the whole organism, and since it is statistical - such as we see in mutations - there are always cases of individuals that survive long enough to pass down traits that are not beneficial to the population. These may linger as recessive genes, only to be exposed by changing conditions in the future which threaten extinction. This is the level at which we notice that an adaptation has occurred, because the needed trait becomes dominant.

There is one more case to consider, one in which natural selection does not have to play a significant role. And this is genetic drift. Here the causes for one trait shifting from recessive to dominant will simply be a matter of chance. Another way to say this is that when the statistics of recombination and mutation offer a smaller number of permutations on allele frequency, then the population will tend to become more homogeneous. This happens when a population becomes isolated. Invariably geographic isolation leads to genetic drift. But then we see adaptive radiation in which the geographic isolation imposes new pressures and/or a new niche.

Consider in humans the high rate of natural abortion and still births, the considerable rate of birth defects that prevent an individual from surviving and succeeding in sexual selection, and you will notice that many sections of the DNA are self-stabilizing. Also consider this: humans are 99.9% genetically identical. Of that 0.1%, 94% is identical within populations, or 0.094%. That leaves 0.006% to account for the most widely varying alleles.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide all adverts.

The DNA does not adapt, per se, because it is a passive molecule that requires the action of other molecules, like enzymes, to do anything. Part of this inactivity is connected to DNA being dissolved in water. This can be proven by taking away all the support enzymes, that are already there after the DNA duplicates, to see if the DNA can do anything on its own.

An analogy for the DNA is the hard drive of a computer. This contains all the data and programs but if we removed the hard drive it would do nothing since it needs the computer to supply power and direct activity. Red blood cells lose their DNA hard drive but will continue to function off the mother board since it still have a power supply. The DNA hard drive is dead in the water; water will tie it up.

By further reducing the DNA, this makes it harder for the double helix to open, since separating the double helix means exposure of the reduced moieties to water; the water and oil effect. These two phases, will prefer to separate; DNA double helix wants to close up to minimize water contact. This harder push makes the hard drive more passive, requiring better enzymes to read and write to the DNA, thereby making the DNA less subject to spontaneous change and better for long term storage.

If you look at the bulk change from singles cells to multicellular life, this resulted in less cellular structural entropy. In other words, if we took the human body apart ,into all its cells, so each is separate, this represents more disorder/entropy than all the cells connected. This is a water based effect, with the increase in reduction causing the water/oil effect, so the cell bubbles (so to speak) combine.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide all adverts.

**wrong thread**

 

Log in or Sign up to hide all adverts.

I look at evolution as the process of change connected to life, starting from simple chemicals. Where I differ from the status quo of science is, I see water setting the underlying potential for change within evolution. For example, if we add lipids to water, they will form a bi-layered membrane. This shape is connected to the potential that exists between water and these particular organics. This final shape minimizes the potential with water.

Protein folding has no randomness to it, but forms exact folds. The probability of each fold is 1.0, and therefore follows casual laws and not casino math. This is due to water.

If we assume water, by being the main component of life, sets an underlying set of potentials, then evolution itself has a general sense of direction. The analogy is like placing a strong magnetic nearby and then playing with iron jacks. There will always be this tug toward the magnet no matter how you throw the jacks.

 

You may want to listen to Richard Dawkins preview of his book: "The Greatest Show on Earth".